FIREBUGS are sparking blazes at Winsford Shopping Centre with a reckless disregard for property and human life.

FIREBUGS are sparking blazes at Winsford Shopping Centre with a reckless disregard for property and human life.

The past six weeks have seen a spate of rubbish fires at the rear of units in the precinct. Firefighters have managed to damp them down before they took hold of buildings, but say it is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.

Not only do the fires threaten businesses but also the lives of residents of The Rows ­ the flats above the shops.

Firefighters are also concerned the youths responsible are not only setting light to piles of rubbish, but to wheelie bins and wooden pallets.

Between September 11 and 19 firefighters logged four incidents, which all took place between 7pm and 9pm.

Two fires were started on the multi-storey car park and two at the back of Kwik Save. Then on September 25, there was a fire in a wheelie bin on the multi-storey.

The next blaze, on September 30, engulfed a plastic pallet in Jubilee Way and then on October 8, a pile of pallets at the rear of Iceland was set ablaze.

Firefighters are now urging owners of shops to keep their premises free from rubbish.

Andy Banks, sub-officer of Winsford Fire Station, said: 'The number and type of malicious fires on the shopping precinct is causing concern.

'To reduce the risk of these fires it is recommended that cardboard and rubbish is not left at the rear of premises, bin compounds are kept locked at night, and wheelie bins are emptied regularly.

'People must be extra vigilant. We are worried about fire spreading ­- the next stage will be one of the buildings will go up.'